Public release about coronavirus and contact lenses
Menicon as a global group takes the current coronavirus situation very seriously. For us, the safety of our employees, customers and partners is our top priority. This is why we have introduced global measures to minimize the risk for all parties concerned.
Please be advised that no evidence is currently suggesting that wearing contact lenses increases the risk of infection or contracting the coronavirus. Please follow your eye care professional’s instructions for use carefully and follow strict hygiene measures such as thoroughly washing your hands.
In this unprecedented situation, it’s important for us to get reliable information from official agencies or associations. Please see official websites below for information about coronavirus and contact lenses.
[in no particular order]
1. British Contact Lens Association
Contact lens wear and coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance, statements for eye care practitioners (ECPs) and for consumers
https://bcla.org.uk/Public/Consumer/COVID-19--Coronavirus--Contact-Lens-Care-Guidance/Public/Consumer/Contact-Lens-Wear-and-Coronavirus-guidance.aspx
2. Centre for Ocular Research & Education
Advice for eye care professionals and consumers
https://core.uwaterloo.ca/news/top-contact-lens-experts-dispel-misinformation-regarding-coronavirus-covid-19-protections-for-contact-lens-wearers/
3. General Council of Optometrists in Spain
Releases concerning COVID-19 and contact lenses [in Spanish]
http://www.cgcoo.es/lentes-contacto-covid-19
4. Association of Optometrists
Advice for members, business advice and FAQs
https://www.aop.org.uk/coronavirus-updates/important-information-for-members
5. General Optical Council
Guidance for primary eye care practitioners, statement on provision of essential eye services, general GOC Guidance
https://www.optical.org/en/news_publications/Publications/joint-statement-and-guidance-on-coronavirus-covid19.cfm
6. The College of Optometrists
Telephone-based consultancy for replacement glasses and contact lenses – guidance and templates
https://www.college-optometrists.org/the-college/media-hub/news-listing/covid-19-telephone-consultancy-glasses-cl.html
7. French Society of Ophthalmologists Contact Lens Fitters
Reminder of the basic principle of contact lens use [in French]
http://sfoalc.info/2-2-communiques-sfoalc.html
8. American Optometric Association
Advice to ensure proper wear and care for contact lenses
https://www.aoa.org/contact-lens-wear-during-covid-19
9. European Manufacturers of contact lenses and lens care products
Actions to minimize transmission [materials are available in English, Italian, Polish, Turkish, Greek, Dutch and Spanish］
https://euromcontact.org/2020/03/19/contact-lens-practice-and-covid-19-material-for-eye-care-professionals-in-case-they-need-to-fit-contact-lenses-in-context-of-covid-19/
10. Optometry Australia
What optometrists need to know
https://www.optometry.org.au/practice-professional-support/coronavirus-covid-19-what-optometrists-need-to-know/contact-lenses/
11. Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia
Position Statement, Contact Lens Wear & COVID-19
https://www.cclsa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CCLSA-Position-Statement-01042020.pdf
12. France Optometrist Association
Essential rules regarding the proper use of lenses [in French]
https://www.optometrie-aof.com/index.php/utilitaires/actualites-fr/entry/lentilles-de-contact-et-covid-19
13. Japan Contact Lens Association
Advice for contact lens wear [in Japanese]
http://www.jcla.gr.jp/news/pdf/press_release_corona_20200403.pdf
[related journal articles]
14. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2020 Mar 19.
Fabrizio Zeria, and Shehzad A. Naroo, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2020.03.007 [in press]
Contact lens practice in the time of COVID-19
https://www.contactlensjournal.com/article/S1367-0484(20)30050-3/fulltext
15. Ophthalmology. 2020 Mar 21.
Ivan Seah Yu Jun, Danielle E. Anderson, Adrian Eng Zheng Kang, et al. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.03.026 [in press]
Assessing Viral Shedding and Infectivity of Tears in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patients
https://www.aaojournal.org/article/S0161-6420(20)30311-0/fulltext
16. Contact Lens Update. Issue 53, 2020.
COVID-19 SPECIAL EDITION
https://contactlensupdate.com/category/issues/covid-19-special-edition/
17. Contact Lens Spectrum. Volume: 37, Issue: March 2020
Edward S. Bennet,
WEATHERING THE COVID-19 STORM, Experts discuss strategies for managing their contact lens practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.clspectrum.com/issues/2020/march-2020/weather-the-covid-19-storm
18.Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2020 April 3.
Lyndon Jones, Karen Walsh, Mark Willcox, et al. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2020.03.012 [in press]
The COVID-19 pandemic: Important considerations for contact lens practitioners
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1367048420300552
The information may change depending on the situation. Please make sure to get the latest information on each web site.